NHS charges from April 2013 announced - prescription charge to increase by 20p in England

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News The Department of Health has announced that the NHS prescription charge in England will increase by 20p from £7.65 to £7.85 for each quantity of a drug or appliance from 1st April 2013.   However, the cost of a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) will remain at £29.10 for a 3 month certificate and the cost of the annual certificate will remain at £104. PPCs offer savings for those needing 4 or more items in 3 months or 14 or more items in one year.   The press release notes that in England, around 90 per cent of prescription items are dispensed free.   Speaking to BBC News, a spokesperson for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said that the news of the increase in prescription charges was "deeply disappointing".  He added, "Hitting patients in the pocket when they are already suffering from long-term health problems heaps unfairness on top of illness. We know from speaking to patients of working age who pay for their prescriptions that cost ...
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news